Wednesday, January 18, 2012

On the Move: Simplicity Inspires Peace

AHHHHHHH!

Steve and I made the decision to put our house on the market.  We are ready to move to a bigger home (so I can adopt a dozen more kids----as I tell Steve in a teasing, but not really kidding, manner) in a better school district.  The current plan is to send our kids to public school when they are old enough.  Private schools around here are mostly-white (like 99%) and pricey.  We don't see ourselves forking over big bucks to send multiple children to a private school.   

So, after Christmas I started de-cluttering.   I stripped our rooms of most of their accessories---pictures, vases, knick-knacks, wall-art, etc.    I moved the living room furniture to be more symmetrical.   I packed away unused towels, sheets, blankets, kitchen appliances, etc. to make our cabinets and closets appear more spacious.   

I love a good project. 

I am one who feels better when my house in clean and tidy.  It gives me this weird sense of peace.  If my house is in order, life seems to be more in order.    I can breathe deeper and sleep more soundly.   Yep, I'm totally serious.  I used to think it was a little nuts, until I read Chasing God and the Kids Too where author Cheryl Carter said what I was already feeling...that some women feel better when their house is in order. 

I try to not let my mind go there with this whole moving thing....you know, where I start thinking adoption-style:  what if, but, possible, what if, me, me, me, panic, what if, make the call, pester, me, sulk.      I started worrying about church (would we change churches being that our current one would be 30 minutes from where we are moving to?), preschools (racially diverse, affordable, half-days, good curriculum, great teachers, close by, etc.), details (switch over utilities, forward our mail, find a new doctor, etc.).  I can drive myself crazy.   

Instead, I'm trying to approach the possibility of moving with a sound mind, a grateful heart, and hope.   If it's meant to be, it will happen.   

And as I pack away more items, donate that which we do not need or use, and reflect on the wonderful memories we created in this home, I'm feeling more and more at peace.     I like that we have made a decision.  I'm excited about moving into a new home (I mean, picking out paint colors alone has me giddy!).   I wonder what this next chapter in our lives will reveal.  

I'm ready for this new home.   We are very picky.  VERY.   Like one of those annoying couples on House Hunters who has a list of twenty-five "must haves" on their list.    Big yard, 4-5 bedrooms, fabulous kitchen, open floor plan, three car garage, pool, etc.  And again, I see where my human heart is stepping in.   Where I am getting annoyingly greedy and self-serving.     Part of our reason for moving is to have more bedrooms so we can adopt more children.    Do some of the "must haves" really matter?   Which house does God want us to have and for what purpose? 

See.  I'm already annoying myself again.  ;)

Step back.  Breathe.   Chill.  One step at a time.  

Moving is a really big deal.   But God already has it all figured out.    And I believe there's a lot of good stuff coming our way.  

Ready?  Set?  

GO.

2 comments:

  1. You and I both know that NOTHING is impossible for God. He will provide exactly what you need, when you need it. I still pray about moving all the time and God hasn't said yes yet. Have fun in the journey! And get ready...God might send you twins.

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  2. Love Chrissy's comment about the twins! I read that and forgot what I was going to write, lol. I'm looking forward to reading about your journey :)

    Ps: The new pictures of the girls on the side are so cute! I've been mia in the blogging world.

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